Work crews expanding in Springfield to restore power, open roads, following October snowstorm

File photo by Mark M. Murray / The RepublicanMassachusetts National Guardsmen Ken Sellinger, left, and Daniel Barry, of the 181st Engineering Company at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod, direct traffic at the intersection of Sumner Avenue, Harkness Avenue and Abbott Street in Springfield Monday in lieu of the traffic lights that were not working due to the power failure caused by the weekend snowstorm.

SPRINGFIELD – Nearly half the city remained without power on Wednesday, but the number of power line crews and tree cutting crews was growing and more roads were reopening in the aftermath of a freak October snowstorm last weekend, according to city officials and a representative of Western Massachusetts Electric Co.

As of Wednesday at noon, approximately 31,400 customers in Springfield, 49 percent, remained without power. Virtually all power should be restored by Friday at midnight or early Saturday, said H. Edgar Alejandro, of WMECO.

WMECO expected to have 70 crews on duty by late Wednesday in Springfield to consist of 43 line crews and 27 tree crews, Alejandro said. That compared to Tuesday morning when there were 12 crews.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who was critical of the WMECO response on Tuesday afternoon, said the top priority is to get all electricity back on in Springfield. There is also a stepped up effort to clear all streets of trees and branches, officials said.

Allan R. Chwalek, the city’s director of public works, said he is hopeful that all roads in Springfield will be open to emergency vehicles by late Wednesday. The city is being assisted by Ashbritt Environmental and the Army National Guard in clearing trees and branches, he said.

Many roads remain partially blocked by trees, including some main roads, but the priority is to reopen roads, while some tree removals are delayed until power lines are checked and secured, Chwalek said.

Residents can drag tree debris from their yards and place it at the curb for city pickup, Chwalek said. The city must first concentrate on road clearing, but will be picking up the branches at curbside as soon as possible, he said.

The city’s shelter at Central High School took in 257 Springfield residents on Tuesday night and remains open on Wednesday, said Helen R. Caulton-Harris, the city’s director of health and human services.

In addition, a regional shelter is closing at Chicopee High Schook and 34 Springfield residents staying there were being transported to Central High School on Wednesday afternoon, Caulton-Harris said.

Patrick J. Sullivan, the city’s director of parks, said some parks are being used as “staging areas” for work crews and tree debris from road clearing. The tree debris is also being placed at the grounds of Cathedral High School to be converted to mulch and to be trucked to landscapers around New England, officials said.

Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Conant warned Springfield residents using generators and outdoor grills to keep them outside, due to the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Police Department has expanded patrols, particularly at night, and will have their blue lights on for anyone needing help, officials said.